Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations & Elections Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office  Regular Monthly Meeting June 4, 2024 at 9 a.m. 1201 Sawnee Drive Cumming, Georgia 30040 MINUTES  Present at the meeting: Barbara Luth, Chairman Joel Natt, Vice Chairman Carla Radzikinas, Secretary Anita Tucker, Assistant Secretary Dan Thalimer, Member Mandi Smith, Director Carol Balcome, Assistant to the Director Jill Swain, Supervisor, Registration & Absentee Bryce Wilson, Supervisor, Communications & Training Jamain Whyce, Supervisor, Elections Equipment & Warehouse Patrick Jaugstetter, Jarrard & Davis Karen Pachuta, Jarrard & Davis Call Meeting to Order  I.  Chairman Luth called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.  II.  Pledge of Allegiance III. Adoption of Agenda  Member Thalimer with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to adopt  the agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously.  IV. Executive Session (Quarterly Legal Update)  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to enter into Executive Session at 9:03 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. Attorney Jaugstetter presented a legal update to the Board.  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Member Thalimer made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 9:13 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman stated no decisions were made or votes taken.  V. Adoption of Minutes    A. Regular meeting of May 7, 2024  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Tucker made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared by staff. Motion carried unanimously.  B. Called meeting of May 21, 2024  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Member Thalimer made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared by staff. Motion carried unanimously.  C. Called meeting of May 28, 2024  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Tucker made a motion to approve the minutes as prepared by staff. Motion carried unanimously.  VI. Public Comments  Director Smith read the rules regarding public comment.  Vice Chairman Natt asked whether the Board of Commissioners (BOC) starts the clock when the individual states their name or after they state their name. Chairman Luth said the BOC does start the clock when the individual starts speaking.  The following persons addressed the Board:  Greg Landon Frank Schneider Stefan Bartelski Huff Croxton Edward Murray, Jr. Ray Moyers Debbie Stair Gayle Troyer Max Clavijo VII. Old Business  A. 2024 budget update due to legislative changes  Director Smith said included in the Director's Report is the amount of unused ballot paper we have which is approximately 200,000 sheets. She said ballot Assistant Secretary Tucker said there will be a cost to destroy the ballot paper. Director Smith said we are waiting on instruction from the Secretary of State's  paper is $.13 per sheet sO the value is $25,000.  Office regarding the unused ballot paper.    Vice Chairman Natt asked Director Smith if the required dots per inch on images included in HB 974 will have an impact on this year's budget. Director Smith said Vice Chairman Natt asked if the recent changes in legislation will impact the 2024 budget. Director Smith said since we do not have a runoff we are okay with Vice Chairman Natt asked Director Smith to keep the board apprised each month  the state has not provided direction on that issue.  our budget.  of any information regarding the ballot paper.  B. 2025 budget  Director Smith reported she met with the Finance Committee on May 22 and no changes were made to the preliminary budget. She said the preliminary budget includes two full time positions that will be traded for 2 part time positions. Director Smith stated the budget does include two statewide elections. C.F Recap of May 21, 2024 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election Director Smith reported that we are completing the remaining paperwork for the Vice Chairman Natt stated there was a lower percentage of people that voted in Chairman Luth stated there is always a higher number of people who vote in a D. Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water District Supervisor Special  May 21 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election.  the General Primary than ini the PPP.  General Election only.  Election  Director Smith reported there will be a special election to fill the unexpired term of Leonard Ridings. Qualifying for the office will be held at the Elections Office July 1a and 2 from 9 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. and July 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Director Smith said candidates qualifying for this position are required to submit a nominating petition at the time of qualifying with signatures of at least 25 qualified electors from the county. Director Smith stated the Board will need to call the election. Assistant Secretary Tucker asked Director Smith if there will be a vote review panel since it is a nonpartisan race. Director Smith said there will be a vote Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to call the special election on November 5, 2024 to fill the vacancy of the Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water District Supervisor. Motion carried  review panel.  unanimously.    Attorney Pachuta said there is a code section in the Agricultural Code that states the candidate with a majority of the votes cast wins the election unless there is a  tie.  VIII. New Business  A. Discussion of November 5, 2024 General Election and Special Elections  1. SPLOST IX  Director Smith stated the Board will be calling the special election for SPLOST IX. There will be a special called meeting on or before July 23 Attorney Pachuta said Ken Jarrard and the County Manager will be meeting with the City of Cumming. She said she would send a timeline Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Member Thalimer made a motion to request the county manager's presence during the meeting to call the SPLOST IX election. Motion carried unanimously. 2. School district ad valorem tax homestead exemption school district ad valorem tax homestead exemption.  to call. the election.  to the Board.  Attorney Pachuta said August 7 is the last day to call the election for the Vice Chairman Natt said he would like to call the election during the Board's July 2 or August 6 regular meeting instead of having a special  called meeting.  B. Legislative review  Vice Chairman Natt stated there are five bills that affect the election code. Most of the bills take effect on July 1. Attorney Pachuta said she would prepare a Vice Chairman Natt asked Attorney Pachuta about lines 70-75 in HB 974 regarding the risk-limiting audit. Attorney Pachuta stated currently the law allows for a 10% risk that an incorrect outcome is not detected in the risk-limiting audit. The bill would change it to 5% by 2028. Attorney Pachuta said she would confirm  summary for the Board.  this information.  IX. Director's Report  Director Smith and staff presented the Director's Report    Voter Registrations & Elections Department  Director's Report June 4, 2024  Board Members Board Member Barbara Luth Joel E. Natt Anita Tucker Carla Radzikinas Dan Thalimer  House Bill 837 was not passed during the 2024 legislative session. Additional legislation to clarify the term start and end date oft the BRE members will need to be considered during the next legislative session..  Party Chief Registrar & Chairperson Republican Democratic Republican Democratic  Took Office Current 04/02/2019* 07/01/2021 02/03/2015* 09/01/2023 03/01/2022* 09/01/2023 04/04/2016* 09/01/2021 09/01/2021 09/01/2021  Current Term End 06/30/2025 06/30/2027 06/30/2027 08/31/2025 08/31/2025  Term Start  *Filled the unexpired term of outgoing member  Staff  Current filled staff/positions: 101 full-time (1 unfilled). and 4 part-time (4 unfilled). Legislation pending/approved bills)/Change to Election Code/State Election Board (SEB) Multiple pieces of legislation regarding elections passed in the 2024 legislative session. SB 212: relates to the end of probate judge duties and activities as they relate to elections SB 189: multiple legislative changes relating to elections and primaries generally HB 974: multiple legislative changes relating to elections and primaries generally HB 1312: relates to the elections of members oft the Public Service Commission HB 1207: multiple legislative changes relating to elections and primaries generally  SB: 368: relates to government transparency and campaign finance and prohibits contributions from foreign  nationals  Election Information  June 18, 2024 General Primary Runoff  Forsyth County does not have any runoff elections. November 5, 2024 General Election and Special Elections  Special Elections SPLOSTI IX  The BRE will hold a special called meeting on or before. July 23, 20241 to call the The BRE will hold a special called meeting on or before July 23, 20241 to call the  special election. special election.  School district ad valorem tax homestead exemption (HB 717)  Logic & Accuracy testing of the election equipment: start date TBD  Voter Registration deadline: October 7, 2024  Advance Voting schedule (as was voted on by the BRE ini the 06/06/23 BRE meeting) Elections Office, Hampton Park Library, Sharon Springs Park, Midway Park  Week 1: 10/15-10/18, M-F (Monday, 10/14is as state holiday - Columbus Day)    Saturday: 10/19 Week. 2: 10/21-10/25, M-F Saturday: 10/26 NO Voting: Sunday, 10/27 Week 3: 10/28-11/01, M-F M-F: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat/Sun: 8 a.m. to! 51 p.m.  Sunday: 10/20 (Elections Office ONLY)  Voting hours:  Absentee Ballot drop box days, hours and location  Tol be set byt the BRE August 191 through October 25  Timeline for submitting absentee ballot applications (for civilian voters): Mailing ballots: Monday, October 71 through October 25  Timeline for issuing absentee ballots for military and overseas voters per the UOCAVA Act Starts no earlier than Tuesday, September 17 (49 days prior to Election Day) and nol later  than Saturday, September 21, 2024 (45 days prior to Election Day)  Early opening of absentee ballots To be set by the BRE Certification of election results: To be set by the BRE  Monday, November 11 is Veteran's Day and is a county holiday The BRE's regular monthly meeting is set for 11/12/24 Risk limiting audit (RLA) as required per GAI Election Code Thursday, November 141 through Friday, November 15  Deadline to certify the election results is Tuesday, November 12, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.  Candidate Qualifying  Candidate qualifying for the Special Election to fill the unexpired term of the Soil and Water Upper Chattahoochee River District Supervisor (vacated by Leonard Ridings) is set for Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3 and takes place at the Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, 30040. Qualifying hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, July 3. There is no qualifying fee, but candidates qualifying fort thisp position are required to: submit an nominating petition at thet time of qualifying and the: signatures of at least 25 qualified electors ofthe county are required to nominate a candidate. Petitions may be obtained from the Conservation Commission's  website: wowagaswccgeorgasor or from our office. Polling Places and Precincts and Redistricting Department of Parks and Recreation Ethics Reporting / Candidate Qualifying  Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR) Candidates and elected officials who qualified for a local contest during this year's candidate qualifying period, March 4 - 8, 2024, are classified as 'being in their election year." Those in their election year will follow the State Ethics Commission Election Year schedule. Elected officials who did not qualify to run for an office in 2024 are in their 'non-election year and will follow  the State Ethics Commission Non-Election Year schedule.  2024 CCDR Due Dates:E Election Year    January31 April 30 June 30 September 30 October 25 December 31 June 30 December 31  five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period  2024CCDRI Due Dates-Non-Flection Year  Personal Finance Disclosure Statements (PFDS) are financial reports for the previous calendar year. PFDSS  do not have a grace period. 2024 PFDS Filing Period: Election Year 2024 PEDS Filing Period: Non-Electiony Year Open Records Request(s) (ORR) #received b/w 05/01/2024 - 05/31/2024  January 1,2024-1 15 days after the day the candidate qualifies to run for office  January 1,2024-July 1,2 2024  Number in parenthesis indicates the number from  the same month last year 4 (9) 19 51 109 48  2024 Cumulative 2023 Cumulative 2022 Cumulative 2021 Cumulative Budget /F Finance  The Director and Assistant to the Director met with the Finance Committee on May 22, 2024. The preliminary budget for our department includes 2 full-time Voter Registrations & Elections Specialist positions (in exchange for 2 currently unfilled part-time Voter Registrations & Elections Specialist positions), as well as poll Staff estimates we have approximately: 200,000 sheets of unused ballot paper. Per the change outlined in HB 974, all ballot paper used after July 1, 2024 is required to have a visible watermark security feature. As of today, the Secretary of State (SOS) has not indicated there will be any sort of buyback or trade option. The current and expected cost of the ballot paper is $0.13 per page. This equates to approximately $26,000i in paper we cannot use; going forward; and an approximate $26,000 expense int this year's budget.  worker personnel management: software.  Voter Registration  Voter Registration Statistics by Status: As of June 3, 2024  Countywide Total registered voters:  179,739( (177,988) 163,564(165,027) 16,175(12,961) 4,474 4,035 439 203 139  Active voters: Inactive voters: Active voters: Inactive voters: Pending voters Total: Pending age  City of Cumming Total registered voters:    Pending verification Pending citizenship Challenged voters Total: Felon Voter challenge Cancelled voters Total: Deceased Felon Hearing Mentally Incompetent Moved out of county Moved out of state Not verified Voter requested Notes:  4 21 39 15 15 0 126 107 0 0 0 Not available 18 0 0 1  Pending msingmcmpetehmcred information  No Activity. for 2 General Election cycles  **An MOC report is not currently available in GARViS.  Election Equipment /Supplies scanners and UPS battery units are ongoing.  Routine charging and inventory of touchscreens and printers are in progress. Routine charging of ballot Logic and Accuracy (L&A), testing of the election equipment used in the May 21, 2024 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election began on April 13, 2024 and concluded on May 07, 2024. The following pieces of election equipment were tested: 438 ballot marking devices, 219 UPS batteries, 141 poll pads, and 71  scanners.  54TSoftwarelMardware Building Update Disaster Recovery Training/Outreach Training.(04/12- - 05/19)  Poll worker statistics for May 21, 2024 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election:  18 total training sessions 56.5 hours spent int training 581 seats filled during training EDI Briefing Session were held in May. Advance Voting and Election Day  384 poll workers attended at least one training session  One Poll Worker Stations Training, One Management Makeup Training session, and the virtual Management  707 positions filled during Advance Voting between 294 number of poll workers 12 poll workers worked on Saturday, May 18 to help with early tabulation    309 poll workers worked on Election Day  Al big Thank you!' to all the people who served as a poll worker during the General Primary and Nonpartisan Recruitment efforts will resume shortly to recruit poll workers for the November 5, 2024 General Election  General Election!! and Special Elections. Communications  Calendar for Poll Worker and Outreach Upcoming Events  Department web page views: 45,277 Press releases issued: 0 Social media posts: 28 Billboard messages: 3  Calendar of Upcoming Events regarding events that fall on holidays)  2024 Election Dates (dates calculated internally; SOS has posted with some outstanding questions March-4-8: CMa--yaw GeneralPaimaryandNompartsanGeneral  Election  Marehi2-PresidentaiPreferencePhimany yANCemPmyANrpertncmetitw June 18: General Primary Runoff November 5: General Election & Special Election December 3: General Election Runoff  2024 June 28 July2 July4 August 6 September 2 September: 3 October 1 November 11 November 12 December 10  Special called BRE meeting BRE regular monthly meeting Independence Day; county holiday; offices closed BRE regular monthly meeting Labor Day; county holiday; offices closed BRE regular monthly meeting BRE regular monthly meeting Veteran's Day; county holiday; offices closed BRE regular monthly meeting BRE regular monthly meeting  November 28 &29 Thanksgiving; county holiday; offices closed December 248 &25 Christmas; county holiday; offices closed  2025 Election Dates (dates calculated internally based on HB 1312 2024 legislation)  Tuesday, June 17, 2025: Special Primary for the Public Service Commission (PSC) District 2 and 3 Candidate Qualifying: week of March 31, 2025(11thy week prior to the special primary; Advance Voting: Tuesday, 05/27-Friday, 06/13/25 (no voting on Monday, 05/26/25in  duration=2 % days)  observance of Memorial Day! holiday)  Tuesday, November 4, 2025: City of Cumming Municipal General Election    Mayor, City Council Post 1 (Crane) and Post 2 (Evans) Tuesday, November 4, 2025: Special Election for PSC, District 2 and 3  Advance Voting: Tuesday, 10/14-Friday, 10/31/25 (no voting on Monday, 10/13/25 due to the  state observed Columbus Day! holiday)  Respectfully Submitted, Mandi Smith  Director, Voter Registrations & Elections  Assistant Secretary Tucker asked Supervisor Whyce if he had any concerns or problems during Logic & Accuracy Testing. Supervisor Whyce said he did not.  X. Recess Regular Meeting XI. Executive Session (if needed)  No Executive Session was needed.  XII. Adjournment  Secretary Radzikinas with a second from Assistant Secretary Tucker made a motion  to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.  The above and foregoing minutes are hereby certified as being correct and ordered recorded.  Today's Date:  July 2, 2024  BLh Barbara Luth, Chairman  Vice Chairman lala hilzpk Carla Radzikinas, Secretary hihu Anita Tucker, Assistant Secretary Dne Dan Thalimer, Member  A